Valve



J. R. RIPPE Sept. 3, 1935.

VALVE Filed June 2l, 1935 "wmmmm e W J@ RQ M me. Mm JOY B Patented Sept. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT FFIE 1 Claim.

The invention, in general, relates to means for controlling the ow of fluids in pipes orconduits. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a ther- `mo-responsive, electrically operated valve.

While the Valve of my invention is suitablefor use in many fields, I have designed the valve especially for use in controlling the flow of circulating water in an internal combustion engine. Accordingly, I shall describe the valve in such environment.

It isl a primary object of the invention to provide an electrically operated valve for controlling the flow of Va fluid which is actuated in response to Variations in temperature of the fluid.

A'further object of ythe invention is to provide a valve of the aforementioned character which is `positive and automatic in action.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a thermo-responsive, electrically operated valve which requires a minimum of attentionand repair and which is Vinexpensive to manufacture and to operate.

The Aforego-ing and other objects of the invention are attained in the embodiments of the nvention which are disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation ofthe preferred vembodiment lof the invention, showing an electrical circuit in which the embodiment is connected.

Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure l, taken on the line 2-2 thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevationrof a modifica- Ltion of the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in Figure il, together with an electrical circuit in which the modification .is connected.

Figure 4 is a view of the modification of Figure 3 and taken on the line 4 4 thereof.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation Vof another modified embodiment of the invention, together with its Yelectrical circuit.

Figure 6 is a View of the modification shown in Figure 5 and taken on the line'G-S thereof.

In its preferred form, the valve of my invention .for controlling fluid flow in a conduit preferably .comprises a movable shaft, a member on said Vshaft for allowing and preventing fluid flow in the conduit, together with means for moving said shaft inresponse to variations 'in the temperature of the fluid.

As illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing, the preferred form of the valve of my invention comprises a butterfly type valve which includes a rotatable shaft II upon which a disc I2 is rigidly secured. The shaft is journaled in bearings I3 Iprovided on a pipe or conduit I4 which may be the return pipe of the conventional water cooling system of an internal combustion engine leading from the water jacket surrounding the engine, to the radiator, or which may be the intake pipe running from the radiator to the water jacket surrounding the engine, and in either case ahead of or behind the water pump if one is used. The disc I2 is mounted on that portion of the shaft I'I which extends within the conduit, and is formed to such dimensions as effectively to shut off fluid flow in the conduit when the Valve is closed.

In accordance with the invention, I provide an electrical circuit I 6 which includes a source of power Il, such as the storage battery of an automotive vehicle, as well as a thermostatic switch element I8. The thermostat may take any desired form, such as a bellows which is expanded and contracted in accordance with the increase or decrease in volume of a fluid, such as mercury, contained in a chamber formed in the bellows, the expansion and the contraction of the bellows making and breaking the electrical circuit I6. Conveniently, the thermostatic switch I8 is mounted on the conduit I4 or, if desired, on the water jacket surrounding the 25 engine in connection with which the Valve is to be employed. Or, the switch may be placed in a position on or near the water jacket of the engine, or on the intake or outlet pipe of the water cooling system of the engine, so that the 30 switch will effectively control the valve and hence the fluid flow in the pipe or conduit I4 in Y response to predetermined temperatures of the fluid or of the engine. Interposed in the electrical circuit I6 is a solenoid I9 in which a plunger 2I is slidably but not rotatably mounted, the `plunger being drawn into the solenoid against the action of a spring 22 which is coiled about the plunger, as illustrated. The plunger preferably is formed to a square or rectangular cross-section and is snugly but slidably tted into an opening of similar size and shape formed in the casing 23 of the solenoid. The exposed extremity 25 of the plunger is formed to a hollow cylindrical shape with a square or rectangular mouth 2B, and this extremity may be integral with the remainder of the plunger or it may be a separate piece secured thereto. 'Ihe lit between the inner extremity of the plunger and the casing 23 effectively prevents rotation of the plunger as well as of its attached hollow cylindrical extremity 25. Energization of the solenoid upon a closing of Vthe circuit draws the plunger 2| within the solenoid against the action of spring 22 which bears at its one end against the casing 23 of the solenoid and at its other end against the hollow cylindrical extremity 25 of the plunger. Upon a breaking of the circuit and consequent deenergization of the solenoid, the hollow cylindrical extremity 25 of the plunger is forced from within the solenoid by the spring 22.

To effect rotation of the shaft II and movement of the disc I2 to cause a shutting off or to allow flow of fluid in conduit M, I mount the solenoid I9 adjacent the conduit so that the outer square-mouth extremity 25. of the plunger is in constant slidable engagement with the square-shaped, twisted extremity 2Q of ther shaft II. Preferably, the extremity 24 of the shaft is given a one-quarter turn. When the plunger 2i is drawn within the solenoid, the shaft II is rotated by the movement of the edges of the mouth '26 of the plunger over the square twisted extremity 2lI of the shaft, thereby moving the disc I2 from a closed position to an open position, or vice versa, depending upon the arrangement between the thermostatic element of the switch I8 and the contacts thereof for making and breaking the circuit I6. Conversely, a retraction of the plunger 2! from the solenoid causes rotation of the shaft II in the reverse direction to return the disc I2 to its initial position. In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in Figure l of the drawing, the arrangement of the thermostatic element of the switch I8 is such that the circuit IE is closed and the solenoid I9 energized when the temperature of the fluid in the conduit I exceeds a predetermined value, and the disc I2 consequently is moved, by the sliding action of the squaremouthed hollow cylinder 25 at the end of the square twisted end 2li of the shaft I I, to a position which allows free movement of fluid in the conduit I4 or free circulation of the water in the water cooling system of the engine should the valve be installed in the return or the intake pipe of the cooling system of an engine. Conversely, the circuit IS is broken and thel solenoid rdeenergized `when the temperature of the fluid in the pipe I4Y falls below the predetermined value, and the disc I2 is moved, by the sliding action of the square-mouthed hollow cylinder 25 at the end of the plunger 2l of the solenoid upon the square twisted end 24 of the shaft II, to a position which -shuts oif uid ow in the line I4. While I have shown that the outer extremity of 4 the shaft II is square and twisted, it is apparent that a separate twisted square or rectangular piece of stock can be provided and secured by any suitable means to the shaft Il, rather than twisting the square extremity` 2li of the shaft II itself.

In Figure 3 of the drawing I have illustrated an oscillatory'disc type valve which includes a rod or stern II I which is attached to the periphery of and is for oscillating an apertured disc II2 superposed upon and held in contact with aV II3 byY stationary, similarly apertured disc means of a, pin or screw passing through the center of the two discs. `The apertured disc H3 is supported in a conduit IIII. Oscillation of the disc II2 places the apertures of the two discs into and out of registry effectively to allow fluid flow and to shut olf fluid flow, respectively, in the conduit. The rodv III pierces the conduit I I4 in a slot of such dimensions as to permit the proper distance of operation of the oscillating disc II2, and extends below the conduit an appreciable distance.

The Vmeans which I provide in this modificavalve stem I II are similar to those utilized with respect to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, and include an electrical circuit H6 having a source yof power II'I and a thermostatic switch element IIS which conveniently is mounted upon the conduit H4 or upon the engine, in such a position that the heat of the engine affects the thermostatic switch. I also provide a solenoid IIS having aV slidable plunger IZI which is mounted adjacent the conduit II4, the plunger being flexibly connected to the valve stem III. The plunger I2I is drawn into the solenoid upon a closing of the circuit against the action of a spring I22 which is fastened to the outer end of the valve stem II I and anchored to the conduit IM or to an adjacent support. This movement of the plunger I2I causes an oscillation ,of the disc II2 so as to place the apertures therein in registry with the apertures in the disc IIS and hence allow free circulation of the fluid in the conduit H4. Upon a breaking of the circuit and a de-energization of the solenoid H9, the rod or valve stem III is moved in the opposite direction by the action of the spring |22 toy place the apertures ofthe discs II2 and H3 out of registry and hence shut off fluid iiow in the conduit H4. f

Another modification of the valve of my invention is illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing, which comprises a cup valve including a valve stem 2 I I connected at its one end to a cup member 2I2 co-operating with a cup member 2I3 Vformed within a conduit 2 I4 to effect an opening or a closing of the valve. The valve stem 2II pierces the conduit 2id and extends above the same. Each of the cup members 2I2 and 2I3 is provided with apertures 2I5 which are placed in registry to open the valve and allow free circulation of fluid in the conduit, and moved out of registry to close the valve or shut olf ow of fluid in the conduit. Y

The opening and closing of the valve is effected by means of an electrical circuit 2I6 having a source of power 2I'I and controlled by thermo-responsive switch element 2I8, as in the modifications hereinabove described. A solenoid 2I 9 is interposed in the circuit 2 I6, mounted in a iixed position at the top of the valve, and is provided with a slidable plunger 22| which is connected to 'the exposed extremity of the valve stem 2 I I. If desired, the valve stem 2II and the plunger 22 I of the solenoid canl be integral rather than two separate pieces connected together. solenoid 2I9 against the action of a spring 222, similarly to the action'of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 1 and described hereinabove. In operation, upon a closing ofthe circuit 2I6 and energization of the solenoid 2I9, which takes place when the temperature of the iuid in the conduit 2 I4 exceeds a predetermined value, the plunger 22| is drawn within the solenoid and lifts the cup member 2I2 to place the apertures therein in registry with the apertures of thevalve cup member 2I3 and hence opens the valve to permit free iiow of fluid in the conduit. Upon a breaking ofthe circuit 2I6, which occurs when the temperature ofthe fluid in the conduit falls below the predetermined value, the reverse movement takes place and the plunger 22I, through the action of the spring 222, causes `a seatingv of the cup member 2I2 within the cup member 2I'3 and moves the apertures in the two membersout-of registry, thus closing the valve.

The Valves of my invention, as hereinabove described, alford increased efliciency in operation of internal combustion engines inasmuch as the circulation of cooling water is eiectively controlled and automatically in response to the temperature of the water. For example, when the engine is cold, the circulation of water is prevented and the engine is given an opportunity to warm up eiectively by reason of maintaining the water sealed in the Water jacket about the engine. When the water reaches a predetermined value in temperature, the engine is not overheated because the valve in the intake or the return pipe of the system is automatically opened to permit circulation of the water from the radiator, where it is cooled, to the engine and back again.

While I have illustrated the preferred embodiment and two modied embodiments of my invention in the accompanying drawing, it is to be understood that I am not to be limited to the embodiments shown, as myinvention, as dened in the appended claim, can beembodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

I claim:

In a system for controlling the flow of fluid in a conduit and in response to temperature variations of the fluid, a butterfly valve in said conduit, a rotatable shaft carrying said valve and journaled in said conduit, a twisted square extremity on said shaft, an electrical circuit, a solenoid in said circuit, a plunger constrained to sliding movement only in said solenoid; Said plunger having a twisted square socket in engagement with said twisted extremity, a spring engaging said plunger for urging said plunger into one extreme position thereof, and means for making said circuit in response to Variations in temperature of said uid to cause sliding of said plunger into said solenoid against the urgency of said spring and consequent rotation of said valve shaft to open said valve.

JOHN R. RIPPE. 

